Igniter



G. A. LEY.

IGNITER. APPLICATION FILED APR. 17, 1920. 1,384,840. Patented July 19, 1921.

2 SHEETS-SHEET avwew toz UNITED STATES GEORGE ALBERT LEY, OF CHICAGO, ILLINOIS.

IGNITIR.

Specification of Letters Patent.

Application filed Apri1 17, 1920. SerialNo. 374,705.

T 0 all whom. it may concern.

Be it known that I, GEORGE ALBERT LEY, a citizen of the United States, and a resident of Chicago, in the county of Cook and State of Illinois, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Igniters, of which the following is a specification.

The present invention relates to igniters, and more particularly to an improved mechanical flash light powder igniter.

The object of the invention is to provide an improved igniter of this character in which the sparks to ignite the flash powder are projected directly into the flash pan, in which any possibility of premature ignition is precluded. and in which all phases of the operation are completely and positively controlled.

Another object is to provide an improvement of this kind of simple and durable construction, reliable in operation and easy and inexpensive to manufacture, and in which the parts are norn'ially incased and are easily accessible for cleaning or repairing.

Other objects and advantages reside in certain novel features of construction, combination and arrangement of parts which will be hereinafter more fully described and particularly pointed out in the appended claims, reference being had to the accompanying drawings forming part of this specification, and in which:

Figure 1 is a rear elevational view of my improvement, the casing being shown in section for the sake of illustration, and the parts being shown in locking position;

F ig. 2 is a view similar to Fig. 1, with various parts of the operating mechanism shown in section for the sake of illustration, the parts being shown in non-locking position;

Fig. 3 is a transverse sectional view on line 33 of Fig. 1;

Fig. 4; is a transverse sectional view on line l4: of Fig. 1; and

Fig. 5 is a rear elevational view.

Referring to the drawings, it will be seen that there is shown a preferred embodiment of the invention, in which a flash pan, indicated generally at 10, is provided. This flash pan comprises a back wall 11 and a trough 12 which contains the powder. The operating parts of the invention are mounted upon the back wall 11, as will hereinafter appear.

A plate 13 secured in any suitable man nor to the rear of the back wall 11 ofthe flash pan. A frame 14ris fastened to the plate 13 and a lower arm 15 preferably integral with the frame carries the hollow cylindrical housing 16 which serves as a container for the pyrophoric material, indicated generally at 17. This container is preferably threaded into the arm as shown in the drawing. The pyrophoric material is automati. cally fed by means of a coil spring 18. A short tube 19 is preferably formed integrally with the frame and extends through the plate 13 and the back wall 11 of the flash pan into the trough of the flash pan, as shown in Fig. 3. I The ends of this tube are open, the end terminating in the trough of the flash pan constituting a mouth or orifice 20, and the other end, shown at 21, being disposed adjacent the pyro'phoric material to receive the sparks.therefro1n to be projected through the tube into the flash pan. In this manner the tube constitutes a conduit for the sparks.

A main shaft 22 is rotatably mounted in suitable journals 23, preferably integrally formed with the frame 14, the shaft being secured against displacement by suitable securing means 24. An abrading element, preferably formed of a wheel 25, is fixed to the shaft to rotate therewith. The periphery of the wheel is serrated or otherwise roughened to form an abrading surface 26, and one of the lateral faces of the wheel is provided with a ratchet surface 27. A sleeve 28 is loosely mounted on the main shaft and is free to rotate relative thereto but is maintained against longitudinal displacement.

finding mechanism is provided and consists of a winding shaft 29 journaled in the frame extension 30, adriving pinion 31, preferably in the form of .a spiral gear, fixed to the winding shaft 29 and a driven pinion 32 also a spiral gear fixed to the sleeve 28. A ratchet 33 is fixed to the winding shaft, and a pawl 34. pivoted to the frame extension 30 cooperates with the ratchet to prevent the winding shaft from unwinding. A blade spring 35 tends to keep the pawl engaged with the ratchet. The outer end of the winding shaft extends through the casing to be hereinafter described, and a suitable knob or winding key 29 is secured thereto whereby the winding shaft may be manipulated.

A. coil spring 36 is mounted on the sleeve 28, has one end; fixed; to the abradin Patented July 19, 1921.

wheel 25 and the other end fixed to the driven pinion 32. This coil spring constitutes the motive power; of the abrading wheel and it is to this coil spring thatthe winding motion is transmit-ted fronr the winding shaft when it is desired to store tension in the spring for future operation. A bracket 37, preferably integrally formed with the frame, carries a pivot 38. A setting lever 39 has its lower end mounted upon a pivot 38 and its upper end is bent at right angles to form a suitable grasping portion 40. A locking detent 41. is also mounted on the pivot 38. The locking detent is engageable with the ratchet surface 27 of the abrading wheel 25 to lock the same against rotation. The setting lever 39 controls the locking detent, and the upper end of the locking detent is provided with spaced lugs 42 which upstand from the body of the detent and which are engageable with the setting lever 39, wherebyimotion of the set ting lever is imparted to the locking detent although the locking detent has a limited amount of play with respectto the setting lever. This play is taken up by a spring 43 having one end seated on the setting lever, as shown at 44, and having its opposite end engaged with the right-hand lug 42, as clearly shown in Figs. 1 and 2. This spring 43 urges the locking detent into engagement with the ratchet surface of the abrading wheel and maintains this engagement whenever the setting lever is in looking position. A retractile spring 44 has one end secured to the plate 13, as shown at 45, and has the other end secured to the setting lever, as shown at 46. This retractile spring urges the setting lever to non-locking position, that is, to such position that the looking detent controlled by the setting lever cannot engage the ratchet surface of the abrading wheel, as shown in Fig. 2 of the drawing.

A trip 47 is pivoted at 48 to the plate 13, and may be releasably engaged with the setting lever to maintain the same in locking position against the action of the spring 44, as shown in Fig. 1. For the purposes of engagement the setting lever is provided with a lateral arm 49 having a hooked end 50, the hooked v end'50 being engageable with the hooked end 51 of the trip 47 A retractile 7 coil spring 52 has one end secured to the trip 47, as shown at 53 and hasthe other end secured to an adjustable shank 54 which is threaded and coiiperates with an adjusting nut 55 to vary the tension of the retraotile spring 52. The tendency of the retractile spring 52 is to swing the hooked end 51 of thetr'ip 47 upwardly so that when the setting lever 40 is swung clockwise about its pivot 37 itsv hooked end will automatically snap into engagement with the hooked end 51 of the trip, thus maintaining the setting lever in locking po sition.

In order to preclude against accidental operation, a lock lever 56 is provided, and may be swung to engage the end of the trip 47 and thereby prevent release of the trip.

A pneumatic release for the trip, indicated generally at 57, is .provided and consists of a cylinder 58, in which a plunger 59 is slidably mounted. The upper end of the cylinder is open and receives the plunger.

The lower end of the cylinder communicates with an inlet tube 60'which has itsouter end enlarged, as shown at 61, to receive the end of the rubber tubing indicated at 62. This rubber tubing 62 is a branch which with the other branch to the shutter of the camera is coupled to the bulb, not shown. This bulb and branch arrangement is well known in the art, and does not need detail explanation. A stop pin 66 limits the counterclockwise movement of the trip 47.

A casing 63 envelops the operating parts and has a flange 64 which is secured to-the plate 13 and the back 11 by bolts and nuts 64 or other releasable fastening means. The winding key 29', the grasping portion 40 of the setting lever, the grasping portion of the lock lever 56, the container 16 for the pyrophoric material 16, the adjusting nut for the trip spring and the tube project from the casing. A suitable clasp 65 is secured to the back of the casing.

In practice, if it is desired to set the igniter, it is merely necessary to grasp the setting lever and swing the same clockwise until it engages the trip, the winding key 29 is then turned to store up the power in the coil spring 36 but the coil spring at this time cannot impart the rotation to the abrading wheel as the locking detent is engaged with the ratchet surface of the abrading wheel and prevents rotation thereof. If it should happen that the locking detent rested upon the top of one of the ratchet teeth when the winding operation was started, as soon as sufficient tension stored in the coil spring it would rotate the abradsoon as the bulb is depressed, the plunger 59 will be elevated in the cylinder 58" and will swing the trip counterclockwise about its pivot againstrthe action of the trip spring 52, thus releasing the engagement of the hooked end of the trip with the hooked end of the lateral arm of the setting lever and permitting the spring 44 to rotate the setting lever counterclockwise and swing the locking detent out of engagement with the coil spring 86-then imparts a forcible and positive rotation to the abrading wheel and the abrading surface of the wheel engaging the pyrophoric element 17 projects a pencil of sparks through the detent 'into the flash pan to ignite the flash powder.

.Iclaim: v

1'. In an igniter of the character described, a-frame,'a pyrophoric element carriedby said frame, a main shaft journaled on said frame, 'ana br ading Wheel fixed to said main shaft, a sleeve loosely mounted on said main shaft, a winding mechanism including a winding shaft, pawl and ratchet mechanism constraining said winding-shaft against'unwinding motion, a driving pinion'c'arried by said winding shaft and a driven pinion fixed to said'sleeve, a'coil spring mounted on said sleeve and having onev end'secured to said abrading wheel and the other 'end secured to i said driven pinion, a'settinglever, a locking 'detentcontrolled by-s'aid setting lever and engageable with said abrading wheelfa common pivot for said setting lever-andsaid lockingfdetent, a' springlfor engaging said setting lever'to non-locking position, a trip forreleasably maintaining said setting lever in looking position, and a pneumatic release for saidtrip. Q 2. .In an i'gniter of the character described, aframe, a pyrophoricelement carriedby said frame,- a main shaft journaled on said frame, an abrading wheel fixed to said main shaft, a sleeve looselycmounted'on said main shaft, winding mechanism including a winding shaft, pawl and ratchet mechanism constraining said winding shaft against un winding motion,a' driven pinion carried by said winding'shaft and a driven pinion fixed to said sleeve, a coil spring mounted on'said sleeve and having one end secured to said abrading wheel and theother end secured to said driven pinion, a setting lever, a locking detent controlled by said setting lever and engageable with said abrading wheel, a common pivot for said setting lever and said locking detent, a spring for engaging said setting lever to non-locking position, and a trip for releasably maintaining said setting lever in looking position.

3. In an igniter of the character described, a frame, a pyrophoric element carried by said frame, a main shaft journaled on said frame, an abrading wheel fixed to said main shaft, a sleeve loosely mounted on said main shaft, a winding mechanism including a winding shaft, pawl and ratchet mechanism constraining said winding shaft against unwinding motion, a driving pinion carried by said winding shaft and a driven pinion fixed to said sleeve, a coil spring mounted on said sleeve and having one end secured to said abrading wheel and the other end secured to' said driven pinion, a setting lever, a locking detent controlled by said setting lever and engageable with said abrading wheel, a common pivot for said setting lever and said locking detent, and a spring for engaging said settinglever to non-locking position.

4. In an igniter of the character described, a frame, a pyrophoric element carried-by said frame, a main shaft journaled on said frame, an abrading Wheel fixed tosaidmain shaft, a sleeve, loosely mounted on said main shaft, a winding mechanism includinga winding shaft, pawl and ratchet mechanism constraining said winding shaft against unwinding motion, a driving pinion carried by said winding shaft and a driven pinion fixed to said sleeve, a coil spring mounted on said sleeve and having one end secured to'said abrading wheel and the other end secured to said driven pinion, a setting lever, and a locking detent controlled by said setting-lever and engageable with said abrading wheel. "5. Inan igniter of the character described, a frame, a pyrophoric element carried, by said frame, a main shaft journaled on said frame, an abrading wheel fixed to'said main shaft, a sleeve loosely mounted on saidmain Shaft, a winding mechanism including a winding shaft, a driving pinion carried by said winding. shaft and a driven pinionfixed to said sleeve, a coil spring mounted on said sleeve and having one end secured to the abrading wheel and theother end secured to said driven pinion, a setting lever, a locking detent controlled by said settinglever and engageable with said abrading wheel, and a spring for urging said setting lever to. nonlocking position. r c j 6. In an'igniter ofthe character described, aframe, a pyrophoric element carried by said frame, amain shaft .journaled onsaid frame an abrading wheel fixed to said main shaft'and' having an abrading surface formed on its periphery engageable with the pyrophoric material and a ratchet surface formed on one of its lateral faces, a coil spring adapted to impart'rotation to said operating wheel, a setting lever pivoted to said frame independently of said main shaft, a locking detent controlled by said setting lever and engageable with the ratchet surface of, said abrading wheel," an independent spring for urging said setting lever to nonlocking position, and a trip for releasably retaining said setting lever in looking position.

7. In an igniter of the character described, a main shaft, a rotary abrading element fixed on said main shaft, a winding mechanism including a driven pinion, and a coil spring mounted on said shaft and having one end secured to said driven pinion and the other end secured to said rotary abrading element, all as and for the purposes set forth.

8. In an igniter of the character described, a main shaft, a rotary abrading element fixed on said main shaft,'a winding mechanlsm includlng a driven P1111011, a coil spring mounted on sald shaft andhavlng one end I securedto said drivenpinion and the other end secured to said rotary abradin element,

and locking means forholding sai abrading element against, rotation, all as and for the purposes set forth. I N

9. In an igniter of the character described, a main shaft, a rotar fixed on said main shaft, a winding mechanism including a driven pinion,ac oilfspring mounted on said shaft and having one end secured to said driven pinion and the other end secured to said rotary abrading element, locking means for holding said abrading element against rotation, andv a trip for releasing said locking means,:all as andfor the purpose set forth. g, :7 -10. In an igniter of the character described, a main shaft, a rotary abrading element fixed on said main shaft, a winding mechanism includinga driven pinion a. coil spring mounted on said shaft avin one end secured to said .drivenpinion and the other end secured to said rota 1 abrading element, locking means for hol ing said abrading element against rotation, a trip for releasing said .lockingmeans, and a pneumatic release mechanism; for saidtrip, all as and for-the purposes set forth,- v

11. In an igniter of the E character described, a 'pyrophoric element,- an ,abradin'g element, means forjrotating l said abrading element, locking means. for holding said abradingelement against rotation, atrip for said locking means, and .a locking lever-for saidxtrip, all as and for the purposes set 12 .'In an igniter of the character I described, a setting lever, a locking detentcontrolled by. said settinglever, a spring for urging said setting lever to non-lockingpotrip.

abrading element sition, a trip forreleasably retaining said setting lever; in looking position, and pneumaticreleasing mechanismdirectly, engaging and immediately cooperable with said 13. scribed, a setting lever a In an igniter. of the character de- 7 pivoted locking detent controlled by said setting lever, a com-' I mon' pivot forsaid setting. ver and said locking detent, and a spring for urging said locking detent to locking position.

14, In an igniter of the character described, a frame, a setting lever pivoted to said frame, a plvotedlocking detent having limiting lugs engageable with the setting lever to limit its motion with respect to said lever whereby the locking detent is controlled, by the setting lever, and a spring forurging said detent to locking position.

15. In an. igniter of the character described, in combination, a flash'pan having a trough to contain the powder and a back wall, a frame having a sparkconduit extending through said back wall and terminating in an orificeinsaid tr0ugh,=a pyrophoric element mounted on said rame. adjacent said conduit, an abrading element for said pyrophoric element, and means for rotating said abrading element.

16. In an igniter of the character scribed, a frame,} a pyrophoric element carried by said frame, a main shaft journaled on said 'frame, an abrading.,-wheel fixed to the main shaft an d; cooperable with said pyrophoric element, a; coilispring cooperable withsaidim ain shaft toimpart rotation' tosaid abrading wheel, a setting lever pivoted to said frame-independently ofsaid main shaft, a locking [detent controlled .by

said-setting lever, a spring for surging said setting levertq unlockedrposition, and; a trip position. .LEY.

for retaining said lever in lockin v GEORGE ALBER 7 

